Coming into Tuesday nights game, a majority of Mets fans had a feeling that Matt Harvey was going to come out firing against the Washington Nationals in what was going to be the most important game of the year.
How could he not have a Harvey like outing? It seemed fitting after all the media attention he’s received the last several days over the questions surrounding his innings limit and possible (or lack thereof) postseason availability.
Well, Harvey was anything but himself. The Dark Knight was tagged for seven earned runs on eight hits, and it seemed inevitable that the Mets were going to drop this game.
I texted my dad after Michael Taylor‘s inside-the-park grand slam that gave the Nats a commanding 7-1 lead. With my stomach in knots and a hint of worry, I searched for answers that were going to make me feel better and justify the situation.
“It’s going to be really hard coming back tonight” I thought. “If we lose, there’s no way in hell we win the rubber game tomorrow with Washington gaining the edge at home.”
With my face buried in my hands, I prayed to the baseball gods that somehow, some way things were going to be alright.
And suddenly, I felt a ray of hope. David Wright singled to lead off the top of the seventh, and even though the next two batters were retired, I just had this gut feeling that they were going to have a huge inning.
The following batter, Michael Conforto walked. “Okay,” I said out loud “here we go.” Wilmer Flores then followed up with a single to drive in Wright to make it 7-2. “We just have to chip away” I thought. “Step by step.”
The next two batters walked to force in a run, and then the big guy Yoenis Cespedes promptly cut the deficit down to 7-6 with a base clearing double, and at that point it was clear to me that the Mets were going to win this game.
Daniel Murphy walked. David Wright who started the inning walked, which loaded the bases for the Big Lebowski, Lucas Duda. If there’s anyone in that spot that I want at the plate to make a difference, it’s the Dude.
He didn’t quite deliver a grand slam like I had hoped, but he didn’t have to, as he drew the Mets’ sixth walk of the inning to force in the tying run, which is the most in a single inning for any team this year.
Now, it’s a brand new game. With the Nationals as vulnerable as they are right now, and how down and out they and their fan base is, I knew they couldn’t possibly salvage this game.
The next inning, the Nats brought in their closer, Jonathan Papelbon, who the Mets have had a history of success against in the past.
With two outs, Terry Collins pinch hit for Addison Reed who had kept the Nationals at bay in the seventh after the Mets had tied the game, and brought in Kirk Nieuwenhuis to make some magic.
Winning teams always have an unlikely hero. Earlier this year, it was Wilmer Flores who hit a walk-off home run against the Nationals after almost being traded, which proved to be the turning point of the season.
This time, it was Captain Kirk, who has had a roller coaster ride of a campaign. He started off the season going 3-for-39 before being shipped off to the Angels for cash considerations.
Then, the Mets brought him back after claiming him off waivers. He got hot, and hit three homers in one game before getting hurt and missed several weeks before getting a September call-up.
Kirk dug into the box, and crushed a fastball from Papelbon to right center field to give the Mets their first lead of the night. Absolutely amazing.
Jeurys Familia sealed the win for the Mets in the ninth inning, earning his 38th save of the year on a game ending double play.
The fired up Familia fist pumped and let out a huge “WOO!”. That sight combined with Gary Cohen’s call to end the game sent shivers up my spine.
My phone started blowing up with text messages.
“What a damn magic season,” said one of my closest friends.
“Wow! That was as an impressive comeback as you’ll ever see,” my cousin added.
If you didn’t believe in this team by now, this game should change your mind.
LGM.
